A growing family transforms a Victorian house in Toronto

Located in the Leslieville neighborhood of Toronto, House Caroline by Reign Architects showcases a possible approach to transforming a house built in the mid-1800s. The unit is part of a row characterized by significant depth and limited width. On the ground floor, the openings are designed to maximize the entry of natural light. The opening on the main front, where a comfortable dining table with a bench integrated into the window bay is situated, is shielded from the street with an internal screen. On the opposite side, there is a large glass window that extends the living room into the backyard.

On the upper floor, corresponding to the children's bedrooms, the windows become narrower, culminating at the top level with triangular or circular openings. This play of shapes takes advantage of the roof’s geometry and introduces a level of abstraction that highlights the contemporary nature of the project. The top level also houses a spacious bathroom, designed in continuity with the walk-in closet. A large skylight is installed on the roof, bringing light to both the walk-in closet and the lower level of the staircase.

The interiors make use of the wall thickness to accommodate niches and open shelving, leaving the central surfaces of the rooms as free as possible. The ground floor, in particular, is designed as a continuous space that flows from the dining area to the kitchen to the living room, ultimately leading to the backyard, which is dominated by a towering maple tree—a constant point of reference across the various levels. It is the detailed craftsmanship, from finishes to detail solutions, that enhances the quality of a home which, as the architects describe, serves as a sanctuary for a growing family.